UW & SEIU 925 Advisers Negotiations Recap for June 4, 2026
Background
This recap details the sixth session for the negotiation for the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Washington and SEIU 925-Advisers. Recaps are published online on the UW Labor Relations website.
SEIU 925 Advisers – Initial Proposals
Article XX – Discretionary Time Off
The Union proposed an article that matches all the language in the similarly titled MOU in the SEIU 925 Libraries contract and the University Discretionary Time Off policy for professional staff with the notable difference that discretionary would need to be used within (12) months after being awarded instead of by March 31 of the following year in which it is awarded.
Article XX – Paid Professional Leave
The Union proposed an article that is identical in language as the current existing UW Professional Leave policy in the Professional Staff Program. The Union also proposed that denials would be provided in writing within thirty (30) days of the initial request and include the reason for denial.
Article XX – Protocol for Employee Detainment
The Union proposed an article mostly identical to the University workplace protocol for employee ICE detainment for HR administrators, but intended to apply to employee detainment more broadly.
Article XX – Parental Leave
The Union proposed an article that is based on the similar article in the SEIU 925 – Continuum College contract, with some notable differences. The Union proposed that employees be afforded 10 days of paid parental leave each calendar year for each qualifying event and that the leave could be taken as continuous leave, intermittent leave or a reduction in hours. The Union also proposed that UWHR would provide support to employees navigating parental leave policies from the University, WA State Paid Family and Medical Leave (WA FMLP) and the Federal Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA).
Article XX – Unpaid Leave
The Union proposed an article with similar language to the first seven sections of the Miscellaneous Leave article SEIU 925 Libraries. The Union also proposed including leave for organ donors as unpaid time that may be granted.
Article XX – Vacation Time Off
The Union proposed an article with much of the same language from the similarly titled article in the SEIU 925 IHME contract with notable differences. The Union proposed aligning the vacation time accrual rate for all full-time Advisers to that of Librarians to the amount of 17.34 hours of vacation hours per month (26 days/208 hours per year). For highly preferred vacation days where multiple employee absences would negatively impact operations, the Union proposed that the supervisor would create an equitable distribution plan. The Union also proposed that employees may request and be allowed to work remotely during breaks between academic quarters and the week of thanksgiving.
UW Initial Proposal
Article XX – Duration
The Employer proposed a contract duration of three years with holds for the dates once they are agreed to.
UW Package Proposal
The Employer presented a package proposal in which all provisions would need to be accepted in their entirety. Package highlights are outlined below.
Article XX – Management Rights & Responsibilities
The Employer proposed an article that is identical to the same titled article in the SEIU 925 – Libraries contract.
Article XX – Probation
The Employer proposed an article that is identical to the same titled article in the SEIU 925 Continuum College contract.
Article XX – Corrective Action
In response to the Union’s proposal, the Employer proposed that upon issuing a final counseling, the Employer may elect to provide the employee with paid time off for the remainder of the workday.
UW Counter Proposal
Article XX – Employee Assistance Program
In response to the Union, the Employer proposed including the definition and contact information of the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP).
Article XX – Grievance Procedure
In response to the Union, the Employer proposed to update the arbitration language, stating that the party moving for arbitration would notify the other party in writing, initiate the scheduling process, and provide availability to the next arbitrator on the panel within thirty (30) calendar days of advancing the grievance to arbitration. The Employer proposed that failure to do so would render the grievance withdrawn, with prejudice, on the thirty-first (31) day. The Employer also proposed a panel of five arbitrators to be assigned to cases by the parties on a rolling basis, and proposed to name those arbitrators in the CBA. The Employer proposed new language regarding pre-hearing disclosures, procedural arbitrability, authority and jurisdiction of the arbitrator, and elaborated on arbitration cost sharing.
Next Steps
The next UW & SEIU 925-Advisers bargaining session is scheduled for June 10, 2026, and will be held virtually.